Bay Bridge closure a hassle for Rays

The weekend closure of the Bay Bridge that connects San Francisco and Oakland turned out to be a big hassle for the Rays.

Or at least those that didn't take the BART train over.

Forced to take a longer route and stuck in heavy traffic, the team bus took 1 hour 43 minutes to make what is normally a 30-45-minute trip.

"It wasn't the best experience,'' OF Matt Joyce said. "Guys are aggravated and we're ready to play tonight."

It took the first bus so long that a second bus, carrying just a handful of team personnel and SS Yunel Escobar, was canceled and that group took the train, which takes about 25 minutes - plus a 10-minute walk to the stadium entrance.

Rays starting pitcher David Price had a furstrating experience, arranging for a town car to bring him over early, and then spending nearly 2 hours in the card - and $202 on the fare.

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The Tampa Bay Rays will head into the 2015 season with Evan Longoria, Chris Archer, Alex Cobb and plenty of new faces, including manager Kevin Cash. Can they upend the Orioles in the highly competitive AL East? Come here to follow Rays news at Tropicana Field and beyond.